Collapsible multiple compartment carton



Oct. 1, 1957 K. "r. BUTTERY 2,808,177

COLLAFSIBLE MULTIPLE COMPARTMENT CARTON Filed Sept. 30, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IINVENTOR. /fz///7e'//7 2' 50/762";

Oct. 1, 1957 K. T. BUTTERY COLLAPSIBLE MULTIPLE COMPARTMENT CARTON Filed Sept. 30, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 m w. w 5d:/ 7 i 4 0 United States COLLAPSIBLE MULTIPLE CONIPARTMENT CARTON Kenneth T. Buttery, Kalamazoo, Mich., assignor to Sutherland Paper Company, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Application September 30, 1955, Serial No. 537,621

Claims. (Cl. 220-113) Third, to provide a three compartment carton having bottoms which are automatically positioned when the walls of the carton are erected.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a filled carrier carton embodying my invention adjusted to carrying position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view looking from the left of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating certain of the steps in erecting the carton and adjusting the carton to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing further details of the structure.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view on a line corresponding to line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal section with the compartments adjusted to angular relation.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view showing a plurality of the cartons and compartments arranged in angular relation and disposed in nested relation within a frame to facilitate loading; someof the containers being indicated by full lines and some by dotted lines, one carton being omitted from the frame to more clearly illustrate the nesting for filling.

Fig. 8 is a bottom perspective view showing the parts in erected position with the compartments in angular relation.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the blank extended or in the fiat.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the blank partially folded to illustrate one partially folded position adapted to receive adhmive.

Fig. 11 is a view of a forming step following that It is desired to point out, however, that atent ice 2 in the blank The two series of panels are hingedly connected to facilitate the folding of the blank to provide a collapsed three compartment structure which may be easily erected. v

The two compartment series of panels comprises the outer wall panels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and the partition panel 6 all arranged in alignment and hingedly connected by the vertical hinging scores 8. The partition panel 6 has a glue flap 7 hingedly connected thereto by a vertical hinging score 8.

The one compartment series of panels comprise the panels 9, 10, 11 and 12, the panel 11 having a sealing flap 13. These panels and the sealing flap are hingedly connected by the vertical scores 14. The panel 9 is connected to the panel 1 by the hinging score 15 which permits the panels 1 and 9 being folded into side by side relation and adhesively or otherwise fixedly secured to each other in side by side relation.

The panel 1 is of a Width of two compartments, the panels 4 and 5 are complementary panels forming, when secured together, a wall opposed to the wall 1 and of a width corresponding thereto. The panels 2 and 3 constitute end walls. A two compartment bottom member 16 is hingedly secured to the bottom edge of the wall panel 1 at 17. A bottom section 18 is hingedly secured to the lower edge of the wall panel 4 at 19, and a complementary bottom section 20 is hingedly secured to the lower edge of the wall panel 5 at 211. The bottom sections 18 and 21) are complementary and constitute, when secured together, a two compartment bottom member opposed to the bottom member 16 and overlapping therewith when the carton is erected.

The wall panels 2 and 3 which as stated constitute the outer end walls of the two compartments have triangular bottom members 21 hingedly secured thereto at 22. These bottom members 21 have attaching flaps 23 hingedly connected thereto on the diagonal hinging lines 24. One of these flaps 23 is secured to the underside of the two compartment bottom member 16, the other is secured to the underside of the opposed two compartment bottom member constituted by the bottom sections 18 and 20, see Fig. 8.

The one compartment series of panels also have an automatically erecting bottom comprising the bottom member 25 hingedly secured to the wall panel 9 at 28. The wall panels 10 and 12 have triangular bottom members 29 hingedly secured thereto at 30, these bottom members 29 l aving attaching flaps 31 hingedly secured thereto on the diagonal line 32. One of these attaching flaps is secured to the bottom member 25 and the other to the bottom member 27. I

With this arrangement the bottoms are automatically erected when the walls of the compartments are erected. This type of automatically erecting bottom structure is, so far as the automatic erecting feature is concerned, substantially that of my Patent No. 2,677,495, issued May 4, 1954, and therefore is not further described.

In the folding of the blank the flap 7 of the partition member 6 is adhesively secured in a central position to the inner side of the two compartment wall panel 1, it being connected by the hinging score .8 to the opposed two compartment wall panel constituted by the opposed panels 4 and 5. In the embodiment illustrated, the partition panel 6 is provided with a bottom flap 33 hingedly connected thereto at 34. This flap constitutes an exten: sion for the partition member and may be folded down with its lower edge in engagement with the erected bottom which adds to the rigidity of the erected structure.

In folding the blanks, referring to Fig. 10, the bottom flaps are all folded inwardly upon their respective panels and the sealing flaps or attaching flaps 21 and 31 are folded upon their respective bottom members and the Patented Oct. 1, 1957 i partition panel 6 is-folded. upon the panel-5. Adhesive is then'applied; and this may be done as a single operation, with the blank thus" folded passing" it through a gluing apparatus. The adhesive, indicated at 341, is applied to the several parts. as shown in Big. 10.. The parts. are

then folded" in proper sequence onthehinging score. 8. connecting the. panels. 3 and. 5. ofQthe two, compartment. series of'panels and'on the hinging scores connectingtthe panels 1 and 2. At. the. same. time thepanel 12.0f. the one compartmentseries is-fldedon the score.14 connect.- ing. the panel' 9 and' the, panel LLis. foldedupon the. panel 10' which brings the sealing flap 13lii1tolapping relation to the panel 12/ Thisifoldingresnltslinbringing theflap 7 of the partition panel into lapping relation to-the wall: panel 1,,the bottom attachingfiaps.arelappedupon their bottom members. The wall panels. 1-. and:9 are then-securedtogether preferably, by. adhesive.

Toprovicle combinedlocking andhandle members the panels 1'. and 2 have a horizontalzslitfifi extending. from. the liihging score connecting the panel 2 to thezpanel 4 ton hingingscore 36formed.centrally.-ofthe panel land extending from the slit 35' to. the toptoithe panel. This, provides a locking andhandle-membep. 41.. Thepanelsfi and havea horizontal slit 3Textending from the hinging connection of the panel. 3 to. the panell tothe hinging. connection of" the panel'5' to the. partitionpanell6. This provides a combined'handle. locking member 38:

The panels and 11" of the one, compartment: series have a horizontal'slit 39 extending fi'om the hinging con-. nection for the'panel I0 to-the panell9 andfor. the panel. 11 to the attaching flap. 13} this providing. a. combined handle and'rlocking member 40..

When the canton walls are erectedlthe combined handle and'locking members 38,,40'and141, areall in theplanes of the panels from which. they are cut but they. may be snapped or sprung into. locking position as. shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in which position they are collapsedand'in etfect serve as braces, it being necessary to. springthem somewhat in adjusting from one positionto the other as is indicated; by dotted lines inFig. 3.

Slot-like handholds 42, 43 and 44 are provided, the slot-44"extendin'g across the hinging score of the member 38. The slots 41 and 43.. extend. across-the. hinge connections for the handle members 40 and.41.to the panels 1 and 9respectivelyr All ofthe. handhold slotsregister or substantially register when the carton is: adjusted to. carrying. position, as shown in Figs. 1,2 and3. In this position the hand'may be positioned. as. showninFig. 2.

The handholds of the portions. of the. handles beingv grippedby the hand being angled which facilitates grasping, The panel 4 isprovidedwith. anattaching flap 45 formed by the slit 46 in the panel. 4,. the flap. being hinged at 47. This flap is attached to the. outer. side of the handlemember 38, see. Figs. 1 and'3.

One advantage of the applicants invention, as stated, is that the compartments may be adjusted to. the position shown inFigs. 6'andl' 7, a plurality of the compartments. beingnested into a-supportingcrate48 in which position the containers, bottles. being represented in the drawing, may be simultaneously dropped into the compartments. The crate illustrated. is adapted. to receive. four cartons. The cartonsmay, be readily adjustedfor. carrying asidesired; The resulting handleisvery. strong ,and: does not project above thehigherwallsof. thetoartonandat the same'time may be readily. grasped as is illustrated.

While the embodiment illustrated isa three/compartment cartonait. is. desired toapoirm out. that the structure is dsirahleidr. embodiment in: a twocompartmentcarton',,that is, a. carton. made up-of the twotcompartment. series of panels. Howevenlhave.notillustratedAsuch.an adaptation. as.it. is believed that it. will be'clearly understood fromt the disclosure. I have notillustrated' other embodiments: or. adaptations: which l 'contemplate-asit is believed this disclosurewille enable those skilled; in. the artzto embody or'adaptnry-inventiomasvnray be desiredt hingedly, connected onitheirvertical. edges, twoip mole of the two series being hingedly connected at their upper edges and folded upon each other and secured in side by side relation, the-twowompartment series of panels comprising five outer wall panel'sand a" partition panel having: an attaching; flap-connected to-its: outer-edge, the central wall panel of the series being of the width of two compartments and being the paneltowhich the one compartment series is connected as aforesaid, the outer pair of the said five panels being adhesively secured together and constitutingside walls of .twocompartments opposed to the aforesaid two compartment: wall. panel,. the partition wall panel being hingedly connected. to both of said. two compartment wall panels, one end' panel. of saidsingle-compart'ment series having a hinged attaching flap secured't'othe otherend panel of the series,,alig ned pairs of wall" panels of the two series having horizontalslitsspaced'from their upper edges and extending, there.- across and to their hinging connection providingadjust able. handle and'locking members, said members having registering slots" which at one end extend into the walls of the two series which are secured together in side by side relation, a second pair of wallpanelsof the saidtwo compartmentlsen'es having. a slit'spaced'from their'upper. edges andexten-ding across-their hingingconnection to each other. to provide an adjustable handlev andlocking member, saidmemher beingslottedto. provide ahandhold which slot registers'with the beforementioned'hand hold. slots. when the. compartments. are. arranged in. zi'gzag relation with the saidhandholdiand.lockingmembers adjusted to their locking position.

21 A collapsible carrierformed of. anintegrallcuttand.

scoredI blank, the carrier. comprising three compartments adjustable when erected to a side by side angular relation:

orto a zigzag nested relation,-.the.blank.comprising-a two compartment. seriesof. panels, and a one. compartment. series of panels, the adjacent panels; ofeach series hinged-- ly connected ontheir vertical edges,,two-panels-ofithe two series being hingedly connected at their upper. edges and folded uponeach other andsecuredin side byside relation, the two compartment. series of'panels comprising five outer wall .panels-anda partitionpanel:havingyaman taching flap connectedto its outer edge, the centralwalh panel ofttheseries being oflthe width oftwocompartments andbeing the panelto which'the one. compartment series:

is connected asaforesaid, the outer pair of: the-saidifive.- panels being adhesivelysecured together and: constituting side walls of. two compaztmentswopposed-to the aforesaid two compartment wallpanel,, the partition? wall'i panelbeing hingedly connected to both of said tworcompart-- ment wall" panels, onerend-panel of saidsingle compart'e ment series:having; a hinged. attachingsfiap secured to the other end panel of the series, aligned pairs of wall panels:

of the two-serieshavinghorizontal slits spacedlfromtheir upper edges and extending thereacross and to their hing? ing connection providing adjustable; lockingrnremhersg. a

second pair. of wall panels: of '1 the; said two compartmentseries having a slit spaced from their upper5ed'ges and extending across their hingingl connection to each: other to provide an adjustable locking member.

3. A.collapsible; carrier formed of an integralcutand scored blank, the carrier comprising three compartments adjustable. when erected I to a: side by side angular'relation or to a zigzag nested relation, the blank comprising. atwo compartmentseries of panels, and aone compartment SBI'iBSiOfPaHeI-S, the adjacent panels of each series hingedl'y' connected on their-vertical edges, two panelsof the two'- series being hingedly connected at their upper edges and folded upon each other and secured in side by side relation, the two compartment series of panels comprising five outer wall panels and a partition panel having an attaching flap connected to its outer edge and a bottom flap hingedly connected to its bottom edge, the central wall panel of the series being of the width of two compartments and being the panel to which the one compartment series is connected as aforesaid, the outer pair of the said five panels being adhesively secured together and constituting side walls of two compartments opposed to the aforesaid two compartment wall panel, the partition wall panel being hingedly connected to both of said two compartment wall panels, one end panel of said single compartment series having a hinged attaching flap secured to the other end panel of the series, aligned pairs of wall panels of the two series having horizontal slits spaced from their upper edges and extending thereacross and to their hinging connection providing adjustable locking members, and a second pair of wall panels of the said two compartment series having a slit spaced from their upper edges and extending across their hinging. connection to each other to provide an adjustable locking member.

4. A collapsible carrier including three compartments adjustable when erected to a zigzag nested relation and comprising a two compartment series of hingedly con,- nected panels, and a one compartment series of hingedly connected panels, two panels of the two series being secured together in side by side relation, the two compartment series of panels comprising five outer wall panels and a partition panel having an attaching flap connected to its outer edge, the central wall panel of the series being of the width of two compartments and being the panel to which the one panel of the one compartment series is connected, the outer pair of the said five panels being adhesively secured together and constituting side walls of two compartments opposed to the aforesaid two compartment wall panel, the partition wall panel being foldably connected to both of said two compartment wall panels, one end panel of said single compartment series having a hinged attaching flap secured to the other end panel of the series, aligned pairs of wall panels of the two series having horizontal slits spaced from their upper edges and extending thereacross and to their hinging connection providing adjustable handle and locking members, said members having registering slots which. at one end extend into the walls of the two series which are secured together in side by side relation, a second pair of wall panels of the said two compartment series having a slit spaced from their upper edges and extending across their hinging connection to each other to provide an adjustable handle and locking member, said member being slotted to provide a handheld which slot registers with the before mentioned handhold slots when the compartments are arranged in zigzag relation with the said handhold and locking members adjusted to their locking posi-,

tion.

5. A collapsible carrier including three compartments adjustable when erected to a zigzag nested relation and comprising a two compartment series of hingedly connected panels, and a one compartment series of hingedly connected panels, two panels of the two series being secured together in side by side relation, the two compartment series of panels comprising five outer .wall panels and a partition panel having an attaching flap connected to its outer edge, the central wall panel of the series being of the width of two compartments and being the panel to which the one panel of the one compartment series is connected, the outer pair of the said five panels being adhesively secured together and constituting side walls of two compartments opposed to the aforesaid two compartment wall panel, the partition wall panel being foldably connected to both of said two compartment wall panels, one end panel of said single compartment series having a hinged attaching flap secured to the other end panel of the series, aligned pairs of wall panels of the two series having horizontal slits spaced from their upper edges and extending thereacross and to their hinging connection providing adjustable locking members, and a second pair of wall panels of the said two compartment series having a slit spaced from their upper edges and extending across their hinging connection to each other to provide an adjustable handle and locking memb-er.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,151,821 Raynaud Aug. 31, 1915 1,898,231 Weiss Feb. 21, 1933 2,354,369 Gilbert July 25, 1944 2,630,264 Holy Mar. 3, 1953 2,693,297 Bolding l Nov. 2, 1954 2,706,037 Feigelman Apr. 12, 1955 2,741,399 Arneson Apr. 10, 1956 2,745,588 Dunning May 15, 1956 

